North Collector impose ban on carrying Arms within the district during by-elections

Panaji: While the dates for the by-elections in Shiroda and Mandrem assembly constituencies are yet to be announced, gearing up for the polls, the North District Magistrate has imposed a complete ban on the carrying of all types of Arms and Fire Arms as well as lethal weapons within the district.

The arms holders are directed to deposit their weapons at respective police stations by February 13.

“It is to ensure a free, fair, peaceful and orderly conduct of the election process and to prevent any sort of obstructions, annoyance or injury to any person lawfully employed or for conduct of election to prevent any danger to human life, or safety, or disturbance of public tranquility or riot, of any affray during the electioneering period,” the order stated.

Those persons under threat to his/her person/property are directed to approach the Director General of Police for providing necessary police security ‘but under no circumstances will any person be allowed to carry his own personal firearm/s license or otherwise except with special permission from the District Magistrate and DEO, North Goa District, Panjim.’

The restrictions however will not apply to public servants, police, defence personnel and security personnel on duty, sports persons who are members of National Rifle Association of India and to those members of the community who are entitled to display weapons by long standing law, custom and usage, unless they are found to be indulging in violence or posing a threat to the maintenance of law and order and peaceful conduct of elections.